The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-12-22

| ny PRIVATE BALzELL.
1t wac cold, cheerleaa Christmas morn
ing, that which dswned on tho wretchet
hut Of John Go,set in 1885. He WAS al
crippled up with rheumatism contracted ir
tho thanklosa service Of an ungra!efu
country. He had not been able 10 work
in the mine down under tho hill yondel
Tor many along month, and now no, and
his vito and three children wore on the
brink OF starvation. There We not q
crust-nUt q cent in the houael Nor will
this story permit the usual rosy sequel OIL
ministerirg angels lowering around thie
abode Of poverty and wretchednesa-as
Christmas waa 1886, 30 it will DO With John
Gosaet and his family Christmas 1851
know him well and scores just like him.
Not light In the Bhsdow. Not Jingle
ray but whatever OF the love Of God they
may have in their Learts, and whatever
love OF them may linger still III the
mighty heart Of God.
1t was tho scene in the manger without
any Of It's glory and hope, attendant stars
or trains Of singing angels, the old scene
in tho stable OF poverty re.enacted down
under the sun once more. John Gosset
rose with heavy sigh. lie could
scarcely lift bis aching head, or move his
stiG and sgonized limbs. 1t was the old
scene on the cross, with no friendly spear
to end Tia agony.
He pressed his withered hand to his
thIobbing and troubled heart, and looking
sorroTfully at his pale sad vile, who
lowered round him like Z ghaatly shadow
Of her former self. Bitterly John Goasst
muttered through his clenched teeth the
old complaint which she had heard in
silence and tears million times bsfoYe
and was destined to hear repeated over ybt
for years Of darkness still unnumbeIed
and unsnded: ".Oh, Mary, why did no!
soma friendly bullet put IN end to me al
Gsttyeburg, end eavo you from al this p
Why2 rs 50 8
She answers not, but moves on trying to
find some pieceB Of board and bits Of Goa
that she had gathered in the alleysto stsrt
fire in the cold cherries hearth, for 1t il
bitter cold, and her dress Is in tatters and
her feet bare sc wero these OF the virgin
when che entered the stable, or these of
her Lord when he ascended the croes! O.
bitterness Of poverty, how helplees and
sad Who shall paint tho ecens7 LIST him
who would do go first feel lis psngs, and
then may he hope that all ahal not be
caricature. The children are in dresmlsnd
yet. Disturb them not, it's all the bliss
they shall ever have until they
lie in tho cold ground, dresmlees and
p,inless forever. Bands Of happy children
and youth sweapb by making the Etreet rim;
with tho echoes Of their merry shout
Sounds Of mimic war are heard, and the
old soldier emells tho powder, burned ir
the streets by frolicgome boys, He is
thinking Of other sounds and other days
when tho earth shook with the thunder o
greater guns than these he hears thil
Christmss morning. II
| No matter.
It is all past.
The present ia too real. What If hi!
little boy should jump out OF bed, awaken
ed by the noiGe, ard ask his pcor fsthel
Tor dime to buy some Chinese fire
crackers; what could hs ssy or dot How
could he bear that? SO the poor mar
limps as softly as he can while he throw
his old blouse about the poor wife'
shoulders 10 keep her from freezing. Tit
FIRE begins to- glare. Then the ghostlJ
figures bend about 1t until their aching
heads ere cloae together, and thei.
withered hands are stretched out eagerly
over the blazs and catch a little warmth
for they are ehivering with cold.
Not q crust!
Not q cent! ia .5
Not a friend in the world, and the srea
God Himself seems 10 hide His face too
as If He, like the cold-hearted ungrstefu
Republic, despised the poor old soldier!
lco Bitter thoughts come to the veterans
mind. Sad memories and sadder fore
bodiugs sweep through bis heart. Blu
this is nothing, 80 long as the children d.
not wake and cry for bread. o God how
shall be bear that Will he rise up ane
steal and murder ?; No, q thousand timel
mol He will simply endure all in silenct
to the end, not like good citizen,i mo-
like good Christian, but better, like thu
good Christ Himself? He is brave-he
shall bear it, and no one shall carry biz
croas but himaelf. This wine press ahal
DO trod alone. faS.. z;3f
Bitterly and long he bewailed his fate o,
Audersonville, but when The hated rebe
offered him tho freedom and food 10,
which no sighed on condition that hs
would turn traitor, how suddenly he
turned his back upon the tempter and hi,
offer, and replied, II will die first." Mer
OF much mettlo never can steal or beg )! O.
such material tramps and vagabonds are
not made nor can they have any concep
ton Of such heroic quality. 'agia ID
Christmas presents for these children
No, they are not mentioned. His wife il
thinking but dare not speak. Hel
thoughts are too holy for words. No ont
but God shall know what fills her eou
this morning. SF.lf
mo, Mary" he softly whispers, IT can
not 60 out and beg; can you ~ -. s15 q &
| While tears fall thick and fast che re
plies, 20, 7 knowyou can't" and - ant
here she breaks down as she chances bacl
to the children who are rising in thei
rags! .s.., .sy
i"Ohristmas gift, mamma" they shou
In chorus as they leap out Of bed and ruHl
for the fire side. .. s i, FL ( .5- Z, Z,
It is too much. The strong man, step
pug uaCX IL let Lue Cnllu1eQ warm them
selves, falls on the floor and weeps aloud
"Oh, my God, why did not some bulle
prevent all this PIE s5illa 55t6l5,S
Little Mary puts her arms around hi
neck, and falls weeping too. "Rise up
papa, Johnny and will 20 out on til
streets and beg some bread" F96lIji
y He springs to his feet like maniac
and the child jumps back with a scream,
,S"Begl Beg!! My child beg on th
streets. Never i will beg first An
out he goes, tho wife and children all call
ing to him 10 come back ; all alarmed o
his look, but of he goes and coon is out Z
sight. Srt z 3t,i 4.,5El55
oh sad, long, dreary day. Where the
. got thor bread God only knows, bu
somehow they got enought to satisfy'th
. cravings Of hunger. q, &, 4lii
Mother and children alone all day. {
/ pitiful day. AS the shadows fall and th
! night comes on John Goeaet n doe
not return. Where can he be ? The CLOG
/ In tha fall nn1d afoaplo ,ropdanfn.,1,l -,